Page 51 of Cursed Magic

My heart stuttered. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.” He crossed his arms. “Can you say you’ve been completely honest with me? Or even with your sister? Because I suspect you’ve not told her everything either.”

I swallowed hard, the cold accusation curling aroundmy own fears. I couldn’t speak because I had to tell the truth, or he’d know I was lying.

I didn’t want to play games with him anymore. I was tired.

He scowled, and his shoulders sagged like he was disappointed. “So you’re keeping things from me as well and getting pissed because I’ve done the same thing. Isn’t that hypocritical?” He pushed off the bed, frustration rippling through him as he raked a hand through his hair. He placed a hand on the bandage at his waist, evidence that he wasn’t as healed as he tried to pretend. “You’re so stubborn. You want to be angry at me when you’re doing the same damn thing.” He pivoted toward me, his face lined with pain. “So what areyouhiding?”

My throat tightened. “I—I don’t want to do this right now.”

“I told you how I knew Simon wasn’t a good person.” He leveled a finger at me. “Now it’s your turn to reveal what you’re hiding from me.”

The words burned on my lips, and I realized I had to come clean. No matter how hard it was. “Fine.” I blew out a breath and sat up, my body aching from my injuries. “I knew about the spell that was placed on you before we went to the witch’s house.”

His jaw dropped. “What? How?”

I swallowed. “Each time your magic triggers, I see an iridescent glow cover your irises. I was confused and didn’t understand it, but then Raven discussed it with me before we left to retrieve Briar. She told me that you’d been spelled but that you hadn’t confided in anyone, including your own pack.”

His expression crumpled into something raw and unguarded. “That was just a few days ago…after the new vampire attacked you in the woods.” His voice was hoarse, his tone accusatory.

Pain lanced through me, sharper than any physical wound. It was the first time he’d looked at me that way—like I’d betrayed him. “I had to agree to keep it a secret before she told me. I didn’t know what she wanted to tell me, but…” I stopped, realizing I was digging myself deeper into the hole.

“And you still didn’t feel like you should say anything? After everything we’d been through together? She told you after we started connecting. At least, my secret was from before we started trusting one another.”

He was right. I was a complete and utter hypocrite. “I wasn’t trying to hide my knowing about it from you.” I hated the way my voice broke. I sounded weak. “I just—I wanted to figure out what it meant before I told you.”

“Sure. Whatever makes you feel better at night.” He headed for the door. “I’m going to see if the steaks are done.”

No. I couldn’t let him leave—not like this.

I jumped to my feet and raced to him, ignoring my body’s protests. As he reached the handle, I grabbed his hand, turning him toward me. “Wait. Please.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

My wolf whimpered, and my vision blurred. We’d had disagreements before, but this one was different. I wasn’t quite sure why, but I wanted a chance to fully explain myself. He was right that both of us had been wrong.

He dropped his hand and stepped toward me once again.

Silence enveloped us, and my mind raced as I tried to determine how to begin. This moment would define everything, including whether I lost him.

He was opening his mouth when Briar opened the door.

She juggled two plates and had two large cups with straws clutched between her arms and chest. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed us standing there. “Oh! I was bringing your food in here. I didn’t expect…” She trailed off.

Ryker kept his gaze locked on me, but when I didn’t say anything, he let out a shaky breath. “I can eat just fine in the kitchen.” He took a plate and drink from her and headed out thedoor.

The weight of what just happened pressed heavily on me, and I felt as if I were suffocating.

When the door shut, Briar turned to me, eyes wide. “Ember?”

I blinked, trying to hold back tears and pull myself together. I forced a smile, making my cheeks hurt. “Thank you so much for the food.” I took the other plate and drink from her and headed back to the bed. I sat on the edge of the mattress near the end table, where the sheet was clean of blood.

As I placed the plate and drink on the table and grabbed the knife, she sat on Gage’s bed directly across from me.

She leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees. “What just happened? You don’t have to pretend with me.”

I picked at the food, my appetite gone. “Everything’s just…complicated. But it’ll be fine.” The words sounded hollow, even to me. “Our focus has to be on finding evidence to get all the packs to work together to take down the Blackwoods. We’re not going to be able to do it alone. Thank Fate the vampires are on our side, or Raven, Ryker, and I would’ve died last night.”

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